As rail travel continues to gain momentum, Europe is taking steps to make train journeys even more sustainable. Intercity battery-powered trains are being trialed successfully in the northeast of the UK, with a “tribid” train that easily switches between battery, electric power and diesel.

Sustainable battery-powered trains on trial in the UK

Currently, the UK runs diesel-powered trains which draw their power from overhead electrified wires, or onboard diesel generators. However, the last generation of diesel trains is set to be replaced by a phasing out to cleaner and more sustainable alternatives.

Of interest to note, the trial took place in a region of England that first brought coal-powered train engines into the world at a time when the UK celebrates 200 years of the modern railway in 2025.

Battery-electric trains run high-speed, but is it cheaper?

With only one powerful 700kw battery, the innovative rail technology can gain speeds of more than 75 mph, making them high speed. When running the trial, the train was operated solely on battery power for 70 km before switching over to its diesel engine.

However, according to engineers, this range is sufficient to cover a typical intercity route, including tunnels, bridges and stations.

Cost savings

When the new high-speed train is launched, engineers expect that it will have a range of between 100 and 150 km. Meanwhile, single-battery trains not only boast superior performance but are also more cost-effective than their diesel counterparts.

Moreover, according to the trial run by Angel Trains, Hitachi Rail and TransPennine Express, they can also reduce fuel costs by some 35 to 59 percent.

No doubt, passengers will hope that the cost savings will be passed on to them, especially with rising ticket costs, which increase each year across Europe.

Battery-powered trains are the best solution for the environment

Currently, electric trains are the best solution for the environment as part of the global railway industry’s transition to net zero. The use of battery power reduces the need for rail operators to install or upgrade overhead wires on any non-electrified tracks. Moreover, this solution could save Europe billions of euros in electrification projects.

Another benefit will be for those who live near train stations as battery-powered trains can enter and leave stations in zero-emission, while drastically reducing noise and air pollution.

Euronews quotes Lord Hendy, the UK’s rail minister, as saying:

The success of this trial will pave the way for even greener, more reliable journeys for millions of passengers.

Meanwhile, Hitachi Rail is already planning the next-generation railway technology and other large vehicles globally. This comes after successfully delivering the first passenger battery-powered train in Japan, followed by Europe’s first “tribid” train in Italy some years ago.

Known as the EuroMasaccio platform, this is already set to be rolled out across several European countries. It is believed that if Italy’s project is any indication, this could potentially cut CO2 emissions in half while replacing the existing diesel-powered trains.